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Thursday, March 21, 2013

All I Need To Know I Did Not Learn In Fifth Grade

Actual words written in marker on a large white Post-it sheet. Left up on a wall at an elementary school.

Astonishingly similar to every group retreat I've ever been on except that in the adult version we don't talk about #2.

Especially considering the waste involved, what happens between fifth grade and adulthood (or does not happen) that prevents us from overcoming these obstacles to group work?

1. "Problems" Having to redo work Disagreements One person does all the work Paired with someone you don't like Distractions One person takes over Sabotage Having to compromise Different answers One person does no work

2. "Problems I Cause" Goofing off Taking advantage of others Getting frustrated Not getting it Talking too much Absences Getting angry Taking out anger on others Not concentrating Procrastination Needing to feel in charge/I can be bossy Pushed over (around?) Not communicating Don't know what to do

3. "Working Together" Divide tasks Check on others - help? Compromise Talk out the workload so it is shared Talk to a teacher Explain your ideas Listen Be self-aware